James Newton Howard Film Score Catalog Acquired By Multimedia Music In Wake Of $100M Fundraising

A delightfully dysfunctional family. Little Miss Sunshine quickly became a beloved cult classic after it was released in 2006.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorCountry star Jason Aldean has sold 90% of his recorded-music catalog to the indie Spirit Music Group, the company announced Thursday, in a deal sources say was worth upwards of $100 million.The acquisition includes 90% of Aldean’s recorded music catalog and encompasses nine albums in total, six of which are certified platinum. The deal covers Aldean’s discography starting from his self-titled 2005 debut through his ninth album, 2019’s “9.” The acquisition also includes neighbouring rights and SoundExchange royalties. Aldean retains an income interest.“It’s cool that a company like Spirit, that’s been around so long, has taken on my music catalog.

The European Film Academy (EFA) has contacted its members in Ukraine pledging support amidst today’s assault on the country by Russian forces.

EXCLUSIVE: Natalia Cordova-Buckley (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Mayans M.C.), Ariyon Bakare (His Dark Materials, Carnival Row), and Ian Hart (The Last Kingdom, Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone) have joined the Apple TV+ series The Mosquito Coast as Season 2 regulars.

Sony will release it’s first movie of 2022, and second Tom Holland title after Spider-Man: No Way Home over the 4-day Presidents Day weekend, Uncharted, in what is expected to be a $70M+ haul worldwide.

EXCLUSIVE: Chris Weitz and Paul Weitz will co-write and co-direct Spanish Dracula, the true story about how silent film star and Mexican actress Lupita Tovar found a second wind starring in  Spanish language versions of Hollywood films like the Universal classic Dracula. The Weitz Brothers are her grandsons, and they will produce through Depth of Field, along with Pancho Kohner. He is their uncle and author of The Sweetheart of Mexico, a memoir he helped his mother write about her most fascinating life.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterMelissa Joan Hart will star in multiple new “It’s a Wonderful Lifetime” holiday movies, as well as the made-for-TV hoarder film “Dirty Little Secret” at Lifetime, as part of a new multi-year deal with the cable channel, Variety has learned exclusively.Under her new pact, Hart will star in, direct and executive produce several movies for Lifetime. For the “Ripped From The Headlines” movie “Dirty Little Secret” (working title), which is set to debut this summer, Hart stars as a mother hiding her extreme hoarding tendencies that are destroying her family.Additionally, Hart will star in and executive produce new movies for Lifetime’s 2022 and 2023 Christmas slates, having previously starred in six holiday films for the cabler, including “Mistletoe in Montana,” “Dear Christmas” and “A Very Merry Toy Store.” Hart has previously executive produced eight Lifetime films with her production company Hartbreak Films, including the recent “Christmas in Tune” starring Reba McEntire.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentAmber Heard (“Aquaman”) and Spain’s Eduardo Noriega (“Vantage Point”) will star in 19th century-set supernatural thriller “In the Fire.”The film, which will shoot in Italy, is directed by Conor Allyn (“No Man’s Land”).Principal photography is set to start Feb. 21 in Italy’s Apulia region.

Final Rose worthy! Andi Dorfman’s relationship with boyfriend Blaine Hart is heating up — and getting serious.

Carole Horst Rose Byrne’s array of credits includes a wide range of projects, from comedies such as “Neighbours” and “Bridesmaids” to historical dramas including “Mrs. America” and superhero pics “X-Men: First Class,” horror films and gems “Juliet, Naked.” Now, her production company Dollhouse Pictures has “Seriously Red,” being sold by Arclight Films at the EFM. The film, written and starring Krew Boylan (another Dollhouse principal), follows Red, a vivacious and at times misguided redhead who trades in her real estate career to become a full-time Dolly Parton impersonator.

Sting has become the latest elder rocker to cash in his songwriting catalog, selling his back output to Universal Music for a reported $300 million.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorAs long expected, Universal Music Publishing has acquired 17-time Grammy Award winner Sting’s career catalog of music. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but in recent months the artist was said to be seeking around $350 million.

Disney’s Encanto received three nominations today for Best Animated Feature, Best Score, and Best Original Song. Directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard spoke to Deadline shortly after their nominations were announced, with Howard stating the feeling “is overwhelming and fantastic and wonderful.”

Adele’s boyfriend Rich Paul, 40, knows how to throw a party! Before heading to London for Adele’s performance at the 2022 BRIT Awards, which is taking place on Feb. 8 at the O2 Arena in London, Rich celebrated at his home in West Hollywood, Calif., with some famous friends, including Meek Mill, 34, Kevin Hart, 42, and LeBron James, 37.

Thandiwe Newton broke into tears while addressing colorism in the film industry. The 49-year-old actress recently spoke to the Associated Press about her film "God's Country," which sees her play a grieving woman who confronts a pair of hunters on her property. Newton has received a fair amount of praise for her role, which examines, among other things, her race.